Honorable Mention

I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea... Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life... Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord... Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

How does a person become not merely famous for fifteen minutes, but eternally notable in the kingdom of God?

How One Becomes Notable in the Kingdom of God

How does one become worthy of note in God's economy? We know what makes people famous in our world. Some are well-known for their wealth; some are accomplished authors, actors, or athletes; some have political influence and power. And strangely, some who already have these things seek greater fame in the most bizarre ways—through promiscuity, a scandalous photo, an ill-advised tweet, or a risqué video that goes viral. It is a phenomenal thing that these are the things upon which people place notoriety.

This desire to be known is rooted in our fallen condition. Back in Genesis 11, after the flood, a man named Nimrod rose to prominence and gathered the men of his day, saying, "Let us stop here and make a name for ourselves." They built a tower toward the heavens to make a name for themselves. The desire to be known, to make a name, has been in fallen man for thousands of years.

Fame in a World That Is Passing Away

But never in history has there been such ability to make a name from a cell phone. People become bloggers or known simply for their tweets. I read recently about a woman who got a book deal because she sent some 15,000 tweets and happened to be funny in 140 characters. This is why social media has such pull. How many here are Facebook users? Look at that—nearly everyone. There is even something now termed "Facebook depression," when people don't get enough "Likes" and slip into discouragement. These mediums cater to our narcissistic nature that desires to be known and liked.

You may get fifteen minutes of fame in this world—a viral song, a crazy dance, Gangnam Style with over a billion hits, or What Does the Fox Say? But the apostle John tells us in 1 John that all that is in this world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is passing away, because the world is passing away. So fame in this world is temporary at best. The question becomes: How does one become eternally notable?

Servants, Saints, Sacrificers, and Comforters

Romans 16:1–15 answers that question. Consider the qualities mentioned in connection with these names—servants, saints, sacrificers, and comforters. Twenty-nine individuals are listed here who were serving the church, serving the apostle Paul, and laboring in the faith. Priscilla and Aquila, in verses 3 and 4, "risked their own necks" for Paul's life, and so "all the churches of the Gentiles" are thankful for them. This husband-and-wife team were Jewish believers expelled from Rome in A.D. 49 by Claudius, whom Paul met in Corinth on his second missionary journey, and who were instrumental in the church there.

Most of these people are mentioned nowhere else this side of heaven. Many Bible teachers have tried to identify them; a few may appear in other ancient sources, but for the most part this is their only mention—and yet God saw fit to record their names. Epaenetus is called the firstfruits of Achaia, the very first convert in Corinth. Five to seven years later he is still faithful, now serving God as a missionary in Rome. God preserved their names as servants and saints, sacrificers and comforters.

Jesus Teaches the Path to Greatness

Jesus had much to say about greatness, because He knows our hearts desire it. For three and a half years, one of the most common topics among His disciples was greatness—though they didn't want Him to know they were discussing it. When He asked, "What were you talking about?" they fell silent, caught in the act. James and John even approached Him asking to sit on His right and left in His kingdom, and later sent their mother to ask the same. The other ten were indignant.

The phenomenal thing is that Jesus never rebuked His disciples for the desire to be great. Instead, He taught them how to become great. In Matthew 20:26–27 He said:

Whosoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whosoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.

In Matthew 23:11–12 He said, "He who is greatest among you shall be your servant... whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." In Mark 9:35 He gathered the twelve—His inner circle—and said, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." And in Luke 14, noticing how guests chose the best seats, He taught them to take the lowest place, so that the master of the feast might say, "Friend, go up higher."

Who is great in Jesus' teaching? Those who serve, those who humble themselves, those who not only teach God's word but do it. This teaching is paradigm-shifting because it is completely paradoxical to our nature. Our culture is wholly given to self-preservation and self-promotion, but Jesus says the path to greatness in His kingdom is counter-cultural and unnatural to our sinful flesh—and therefore hard.

The Example of Christ in Philippians 2

It wasn't just Jesus' teaching; it was His example. In Philippians 2:5 Paul writes, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus"—who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself of no reputation. Imagine the greatest position ever—the throne of heaven, King of kings and Lord of lords, the One Isaiah saw high and lifted up—and He did not cling to it.

Can you imagine anyone in our realm doing such a thing? The most powerful office in our nation is the presidency. From the moment a president is sworn in, the countdown begins; at eight years, at most, someone else takes the spot. While in office, every room stands when he enters; he never waits at a red light, driving through every one with police escort; he has his own 747 and never waits in line or goes through TSA. There is a part of any man that does not want to let that go. And even after leaving, men still go about trying to build a reputation.

But Jesus made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant—a slave by choice—and humbled Himself even to the death of the cross. The clearest illustration, aside from the incarnation itself, is John 13, where He took a towel and washed His disciples' feet, doing the work of the lowest slave. Peter objected, recognizing this was not the position for their Lord and Master. Afterward Jesus said, "You call Me Rabbi and Lord, and you say rightly... I have given you an example, that you should do likewise."

Therefore God Highly Exalted Him

Notice the first word of Philippians 2:9—"Therefore." Because of what Jesus did in verses 5 through 8, "God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name." His name is so powerful and glorious that men who hate Him use it as a curse word to express disgust. You never hear people cursing with my name, or even with "Muhammad," because those are not names above every name. But one day, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father."

Why does He have the name above every name? Because He humbled Himself. The path to greatness is the path of humility in this life, being a servant of all. That is why Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1–2, "Be imitators of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us." If you want to know how to walk, walk as Jesus walked—sacrificially, as a servant. That is what is becoming of the saints.

Names Written in the Book of Life

So here in Romans 16 is a list of names that the world does not know. There are no history books written about Tryphena and Tryphosa—likely sisters, perhaps twins. Notice that ten women are mentioned here, phenomenal in the first-century Jewish and Roman context. You will never find a secular book written about these women. And yet their names are written in a far greater book that abides in eternity—the Book of Life.

Revelation mentions several books in eternity. There are the books recording people's works, by which the lost will be judged and damned. But there is another book—the Book of Life. Though you may never be known in this world, though you may never get two million hits when your name is typed into Google, if your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, you are of honorable mention in eternity. Far better to be of note in eternity than to have fifteen minutes of fame here.

How does that come to be? Not by any magnificent work—not by performing miracles, raising the dead, or preaching to thousands. It has nothing to do with your works. It has everything to do with the work Jesus did on the cross and your trust and faith in Him. You put your faith in Him for salvation, and He writes your name in the Book of Life. Oh, to be of note in heaven! Live in such a way—as Jesus said in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you."

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for Your word, and that You saw fit to record these names for a purpose. I thank You that, because of the work You did, Jesus, my name is written in the Book of Life. Help me to live in such a way that on the day I enter Your kingdom I hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Although we are sinners made saints, help us to be servants—willing to sacrifice as You sacrificed, willing to reach out and comfort others. Work in us to be like You. We thank You, Jesus. Amen.

A Parting Exhortation: Note Those Who Cause Divisions

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the simple... And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

We have come to the last words of Romans. Paul has covered much doctrine—what we are to believe in the early chapters, and how we are to live in chapters 12 through 15. It seemed the book would end at 15:33, "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen." But then came sixteen verses of greetings, ending again at verse 16. You'd think that would be the end—but Paul is a good Cross Connection pastor; he's got four endings.

So in verse 17 comes another series of exhortations, fresh on his heart. By this point nearly 10,000 words have been written—this is the longest of Paul's letters, which is why Romans stands first among the epistles; the letters are arranged by length, not chronology. Paul wrote this letter from Corinth around A.D. 57–58, dictating it to a scribe named Tertius (verse 22), with Timothy, Luke, Jason, and Sosipater present. Phoebe likely carried it to Rome.

Why Paul Knew This Danger So Well

Paul knew this kind of person intimately, because such people had followed his ministry to disrupt, divide, and destroy it. After he planted churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Derbe, disrupters came in to lead the believers away from the simplicity that is in Christ, prompting his letter to the Galatians. After he planted churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth, the same thing happened, prompting 1 and 2 Corinthians. So this exhortation is preemptive—a preventative cure.

Paul begs the leaders he has just named—Priscilla and Aquila, Epaenetus, Mary, Urbanus, and the rest—as overseers of the flock in Rome, to "note" those who cause divisions. The word means to set a mark upon them, to identify them. The difficulty is that such people do not identify themselves when they come; they don't announce, "I'm here to divide and spread false doctrine." Worse, they are often so self-deceived that they don't recognize they are causing division.

A great example is the author of this very letter. Before he was Paul the apostle, he was Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee whose entire aim was to destroy the church. In Acts 8 great persecution came at his hands. He believed he was doing the work of God until, on the Damascus road in Acts 9, he heard, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" He did not realize he was the divisive, destructive one. So leaders must be watchful, while still receiving those who are weak in the faith and shepherding the flock gently.

How to Identify the Dangerous Ones

How do we identify the destructive ones if we are also to receive the weak? Jesus answers in Matthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets." First, recognize that false prophets exist. Second, "they come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves"—they look like everyone else, use Christian words, and speak of Jesus, resurrection, heaven, the Spirit, and the Father, yet may not believe as you believe. How do we know them? Verse 16: "You will know them by their fruits"—by what their lives produce.

Paul gives more in 2 Thessalonians 3:14: "If anyone does not obey the word of this epistle, note that person, and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed"—but verse 15 adds, "do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." The aim of the shaming is repentance. In Philippians 3:17 the same word "note" is used positively: "join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." So we mark out those who walk in obedience and follow their example, while also marking those who, as verses 18–19 say, are "enemies of the cross... whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, whose glory is in their shame." If you knew the Titanic would sink in 1912, you wouldn't buy a ticket; if you know someone's end is destruction, you don't keep company with them. The word "note" is the Greek skopeō, from which we get "scope"—to observe and mark.

Who We Are to Reject and Avoid

Romans 14:1 says we are to receive those who are weak in the faith. But Scripture also names certain people we must reject and avoid. Some say that sounds unloving, but here is a short list: the unrepentant sinner (Matthew 18:17, after one-on-one, then with another, then before the elders); the one calling himself a brother yet sexually immoral (1 Corinthians 5); those who are disorderly and walk contrary to doctrine (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14); those who teach false doctrine (1 Timothy 6:3–5); those with a vain external religion only, having the appearance of godliness while inwardly corrupt (2 Timothy 3:5); and those who are divisive (Titus 3).

Why? Romans 16:18: "For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly." They are self-serving, self-seeking, self-willed, and "by smooth words and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the simple"—those who do not yet have a firm grasp on the truth.

Know the Genuine

Years ago we ran a coffee shop in town called His Place. Our manager, Jason Moody, counted the money every night. One evening he paused, went back through the bills, pulled one out and said, "This one's counterfeit"—just by feeling it. He knew because he handled the genuine every single day. You could place the fake beside a real twenty and, by the eye, they looked nearly identical; but he knew the real one so well that the fake didn't fit. The bank confirmed it.

If you tried to study every counterfeit, you'd never finish—there are too many. It's far better to know the genuine. In our day people knock on doors speaking Christian-sounding words about Jesus, the end of the world, Satan, and the Spirit, yet their belief is outside of orthodoxy. Some spend enormous time studying every cult and world religion. I'd rather encourage you to spend more time studying what Scripture says, so that when smooth words and flattering speech come, you are not deceived because you know the real.

Confidence and Desire for the Church

Paul was confident about Rome. Verse 19: "For your obedience has become known to all." Back in chapter 1 their faith was spoken of throughout the world; now their obedience is known too. Their faith had become faithfulness—our faith in Christ must become faithfulness to Christ. "Therefore I am glad on your behalf," Paul says, echoing John, who wrote, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth."

Yet Paul still had a desire for them: "I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil." Jesus said, "Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves," and "harmless" is the same word as "simple" here. Know and do what is good; let evil not even be named among you. Back to Jason counting the money—be wise about what is genuine. Know the Scriptures. Don't spend all your time getting to know the evil ways of the world just to identify the false. Be wise in what is good—all Scripture is given for our building up—and be simple in what is evil.

The God of Peace Will Crush Satan

Verse 20: "And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly." There is a paradox here—the God of peace will crush. But if anything stands against the peace and righteousness of God, sometimes the only way to remove that obstacle is to crush it. And notice the instrument: God will crush Satan under your feet—using the church.

This fulfills the first prophecy of the Bible. In Genesis 3:15 God said to the serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." We rightly look to Jesus' death and resurrection, where He delivered a deathblow to Satan when He cried, "It is finished!" Yet two thousand years later, Satan still appears to hold power and jurisdiction. So the fulfillment is not yet complete. By the power of Jesus Christ, through His church, God will one day bring a massive deathblow to Satan—"shortly," and we are far closer now than when this was written.

The picture in my mind is of feet trampling grapes until they are splattered—that is what God will do to Satan, and He has chosen to use His church to do it. Satan used humanity to strike at God; ultimately God will use His church, filled with humanity, to deliver the deathblow. As Jesus said in Matthew 16, "Upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."

The Final Greetings and Doxology

After a second "Amen," Paul still isn't done. In verses 21–23 he sends greetings from those with him in Corinth—"Timothy, my fellow worker, and Luke, and Jason, and Sosipater." Then comes a great verse: "I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord." The scribe wrote himself into Scripture for eternity—I can't wait to meet him. Gaius, Paul's host and host of the whole church, greets them, along with Erastus, the city treasurer—a politician—and Quartus, a brother. A third "Amen," and still he goes on.

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest... to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

After nearly 10,000 words, Paul says, "Now to Him who is able to establish you." Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote fourteen volumes on Romans and died before finishing. No human being will ever exhaust the treasure of Scripture. If salvation required mastering all sixty-six books with a PhD before you were ready, every one of us would be disqualified. But we are not established by how much Scripture we know—we are established by the King of kings, who authored it and gave us His indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us through it.

Established by the Gospel, for the Glory of God

How does He establish us? "According to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ." Critics have always asked why the church gathers to preach and hear the word, and modern voices declare monologue preaching dead. Dialogue is good and helpful, and we seek opportunities for it. But God still uses the "foolishness" of preaching because He establishes us by the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.

This preaching proclaims "the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest." A biblical mystery is like a wrapped Christmas gift, meant to be opened—and Jesus has opened it, bringing to light life and immortality through the gospel: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." This mystery is "made known to all nations"—not for one group alone, but for all peoples—"according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith." So we preach because God has commanded the gospel to go into all the world, that people might obey the faith. And why this way? Because "to God, alone wise, be glory." He alone is wise, and He has a perfect plan. To Him be the glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Father, to You be the glory; may it be in my life that You are glorified. Help me to live and walk in a way that brings praise to Your name, so that those who see my life rejoice in You. It is my desire that You would get the glory from my life in every possible way. We thank You that You are able to establish us, rooted and grounded in You, Your word abiding in us and we abiding in Your word. Stir our hearts so we cannot remain silent—in our neighborhoods, on our campuses, in our offices, wherever we go this week. As the church in Rome was filled with faith and faithful even in a wicked city, help us in our day to be filled with faith and faithful to You in all we do. In Jesus' name. Amen.